Simple surname queries without any supporting information are
     strongly discouraged.  For most surnames, there are simply too
     many individuals with the same name for a surname request to be
     useful.  To make success more probable, you must supply as much
     information as you can, including the surname(s) and given names;
     place(s) of residence (in Germany and elsewhere); dates of birth,
     emigration, marriage, and death; religious affiliation; associated
     family names; and any other information you may have.  Include
     also what sources you have consulted, successfully or not, in
     your search.  Be concise but informative.  Make your question
     clear.  Use an informative subject line like this:

       SCHMIDT; Neustadt i.Holstein,SCN,DEU > Boston,MA,USA; 1873-1924

     Many people prefer that surnames be written in all caps to aid
     visual scanning.  Make your placenames unambiguous (Neustadt an der
     Weinstrasse; Frankfurt am Main).  Avoid imprecise dates like
     "the late 1800s" (does that mean 1850-1899 or 1805-1809?).

     Be advised that it is unlikely that you will find someone willing
     to do extensive research for you for free unless he or she is
     related to the subject of your search.  However, you may receive
     valuable advice that may turn your dead end into a new lead.  If
     you are lucky, you may find someone who is also researching along
     the same lines (same family, location, event, or resource) and
     then you can both profit by sharing notes.

     Also, common courtesy would require that, when you receive advice
     or leads, you act on them before repeating the query.